Five Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Still Waiting for Action

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - Taxi struck a 19-year-old woman at Bleecker and Thompson. She suffered leg abrasions. Police cite failure to yield. Shock followed. The street stayed quiet. Metal met flesh. The system failed again.

A taxi hit a 19-year-old pedestrian at the intersection of Bleecker Street and Thompson Street in Manhattan. She was getting on or off a vehicle when struck, suffering abrasions to her lower leg and foot and experiencing shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver’s error is clear in the data. No injuries were reported for the taxi occupants. The report does not list helmet or signal use as contributing factors. The toll fell on the pedestrian. The street remained unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828837 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.

• Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 17 - A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 15 - A sedan struck a standing scooter on Christopher Street. A 13-year-old was ejected and bled from the arm. Police cite driver inexperience and other vehicular factors. Shock followed. Metal met flesh. The street stayed silent.

A crash on Christopher Street in Manhattan involved a sedan and a standing scooter. According to the police report, a 13-year-old male operating the scooter was ejected and suffered minor bleeding to his arm, experiencing shock. The sedan, driven by a licensed adult, struck the scooter's right front quarter panel. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The teen had no safety equipment. No other injuries were specified. The crash underscores the risks faced by young, unprotected road users when driver errors occur.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - A cyclist hit a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal on West 13th Street. She suffered bruises to her entire body. The crash left the cyclist unhurt. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

A 64-year-old pedestrian was struck by a cyclist while crossing West 13th Street at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the woman was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. She suffered contusions to her entire body and was conscious at the scene. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was not injured. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. No mention of helmet use or signaling was included.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827003 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

Jul 3 - An SUV hit a woman riding an e-bike on La Guardia Place. She was thrown and suffered a head injury. The SUV driver was not reported injured. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

A woman riding an e-bike was struck by an SUV on La Guardia Place at Bleecker Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head abrasion. The SUV driver, a 25-year-old man, was not reported injured. Both vehicles were going straight ahead. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers. No further details on driver actions or other causes were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A truck slammed into stopped cars on Bleecker. Two people suffered whiplash. Police cite driver distraction. Metal crumpled. Pain followed. The street held the wreck.

A truck struck two stopped vehicles on Bleecker Street near Mac Dougal, Manhattan. Two occupants, a 31-year-old male driver and a 28-year-old female passenger, were injured with whiplash to the back and neck. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. Both cars and truck were stopped or slowing in traffic before the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - An SUV hit a pedestrian on West 8th. The woman suffered arm injuries and pain. Police list no clear cause. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed dangerous.

A Ford SUV traveling east struck a female pedestrian on West 8th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection and suffered injuries to her arm, along with pain and nausea. The driver, a 38-year-old woman, was not injured. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The crash left the pedestrian hurt and the driver unharmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824357 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - A sedan hit a woman crossing W 9 St at 5 Ave. She walked with the signal. The car turned right and failed to yield. Her arm was scraped. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

A 28-year-old woman was injured when a sedan struck her as she crossed W 9 St at 5 Ave in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver made a right turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact caused abrasions to the woman's arm. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the driver or other vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 18 - Waymo will test robotaxis on New York streets. Human drivers will control the cars. State law blocks full autonomy. Officials stress safety. Waymo pushes for legal change. The city weighs risk. Streets wait for the next move.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Waymo will soon test its driverless taxi technology in New York City. The vehicles will not operate autonomously; human drivers will remain behind the wheel, as state law forbids fully driverless cars. Waymo is lobbying for a law change to allow autonomous operation, but the effort has stalled in the State Assembly. Mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari said, "Public safety is our first priority, which is why we have strong guardrails and requirements in place on any sort of autonomous vehicles." The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing Waymo’s permit application, the first under the new Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration or Testing Permit Program. The article highlights the tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with policy decisions pending and no driverless operation allowed yet.

• Waymo Robotaxis Begin NYC Street Tests, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 13 - SUV hit a cyclist on La Guardia Place. The rider, sixty, suffered a neck abrasion. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. The street saw blood, not mercy.

A sixty-year-old cyclist was injured when an SUV struck him on La Guardia Place at West 3rd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a neck abrasion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The SUV’s right front bumper hit the bike’s left rear. No vehicle damage was reported. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet use or signaling was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820854 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - An SUV hit a sedan on West 10th Street in Manhattan. The crash left one driver with a concussion and leg injury. Police cite passing and following too closely. Metal met metal. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two vehicles collided at West 10th Street and 7th Avenue South in Manhattan. According to the police report, a Ford SUV making a left turn struck a Toyota sedan going straight. One driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered a concussion and a lower leg injury. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and male. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The SUV showed no damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention helmet use or turn signals as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818614 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Two SUVs slammed together on West Street near Christopher. Metal crumpled. One driver suffered whiplash. Passengers shaken. The night air split with the sound of impact. No clear cause. The city’s danger, plain and unyielding.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided on West Street at Christopher Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, one driver, a 27-year-old man, was injured and reported whiplash. Passengers in both vehicles were listed as occupants, with unspecified injuries or none reported. The crash involved both vehicles traveling straight, striking center front ends. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or external causes were identified in the data. Both drivers were licensed and wore lap belts. The crash highlights the ever-present risk on city streets, even when no clear error is found.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07